A SATA M.2 SSD is a compact but fast SSD that is used by most modern laptops. The read and write speeds are considerably higher than an HDD, so that both your computer and your programs start up faster. You can recognize a SATA M.2 SSD by the connector, which consists of 2 small keys on the corners and 1 large in the middle. Take a good look at the connectors on your motherboard before you purchase.